Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor - PChttp://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/atom.aspxCommunity Server2014-05-19T10:13:24ZEmergent Action Evolves/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/09/25/middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor-game-informer-review.aspx2014-09-25T23:01:00Z2014-09-25T23:01:00Z<p><img style="max-width:610px;" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warnerbros/monolith/shadowofmordor/stab610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p>
<p>Open world games often struggle to find balance between two extremes &ndash; the ability to craft a custom experience, and a linear progression that provides satisfying narrative. Shadow of Mordor explores a unique solution to the dilemma, offering an unfolding story that reacts to the player&rsquo;s choices. It&rsquo;s a fascinating experiment in emergent action on a grand scale, but the focus on those emergent elements can lead to frustration in the early game, and too much repetition later on. </p>
<p>Shadow of Mordor earns its Mature rating in the first few minutes, with a horrific but gripping scene that fuels the many hours of gameplay that lie ahead. The ranger Talion is united in death with a mysterious and ancient wraith, and their combined powers and lust for vengeance are enough to pose a threat to Sauron&rsquo;s emerging armies during the years between <i>The Hobbit</i> and <i>The Lord of the Rings</i>. The storytelling is one-note (revenge!), and it&rsquo;s delivered through melodramatic dialogue that is a precise match to Tolkien&rsquo;s declamatory style.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The commitment to Tolkien lore is admirable and extensive. Both the main story and side quests are filled with allusions to the broader fiction, and it&rsquo;s wonderful to see Monolith dig so deeply into the established lore. Whether by collecting artifacts from the lost ages of Middle-earth, or sneaking through the dreaded fortress of Durthang, a sense of place and history pervades the journey. Mordor&rsquo;s craggy peaks and grassy plains are filled with secrets to uncover, many of which provide a deeper understanding of Talion or the wraith, and their connection to the classic story. Even with the close ties to the characters and events of Tolkien, Shadow of Mordor is tonally dissonant from its source material. Unlike that ultimately optimistic set of tales, this revenge-fueled ride is a bleak take on the universe. Many may be disturbed by the dark and oppressive imagery on display.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Shadow of Mordor&rsquo;s most fascinating feature is its nemesis system, in which many missions and conflicts arise from earlier combats and deaths. An army of named Uruk soldiers patrols beyond the Black Gate, each one vying to rise through the ranks and grasp greater power. Die in battle, and your slayer may be promoted and recall that early battle upon your next meeting. Horribly burn a foe and let him escape, and he screams for a rematch if he catches sight of you again. Dominate a puppet and turn him to your cause, and opportunities arise to move him up to warchief status. Many of these encounters happen naturally as you explore, but an equal number show up as new missions on the map. The dynamic makes for a remarkably engaging and custom experience. However, the system can get carried away into overdrive, with multiple named enemies converging on one location in a single mission, making it easy to get into fights that you are ill-equipped to understand or complete.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>If the metagame is all about the ever-shifting conflicts of Mordor&rsquo;s war machine, the gears that turn that machine are the constant battles Talion faces along the way. Whether in stealth, at range with his elven bow, or in furious melee, the fights are challenging and engaging. Combat carries a visceral punch, and is perversely satisfying with its brutal decapitations and revenge-fueled executions. Rhythmic inputs allow for a surprising array of moves, and button mashing is a sure recipe for failure. Mastering the system demands attention to all your enemies, changing up your maneuvers, and recognizing moments for a strategic retreat.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The melees are impressive and dangerous, but the power of combat&rsquo;s punch is blunted by repetition. Many open world games (including chief inspirations Batman: Arkham City and Assassin&rsquo;s Creed) offer palate-cleanser side content that changes up the player&rsquo;s focus. In Shadow of Mordor, whether completing story missions or side missions, the focus is all killing all the time. By the end of the lengthy campaign, the battles don&rsquo;t carry the same thrill.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Mordor&rsquo;s strongholds and open fields often play host to massive and often overwhelming conflicts. It&rsquo;s not unusual to end up in a fight with dozens of foes at once, and blaring alarms bring more all the time without careful work to contain the disaster. Named enemies each have an array of weaknesses and immunities, and keeping them straight in the midst of a fight is difficult. Battles can stretch for many minutes, and just a few mistakes lead to a grisly end. Later, things get even more confusing as you recruit your own soldiers, but the game does little to distinguish friend from foe. Players who refuse to engage with the tactical option of taking out bodyguards first and targeting enemy weaknesses are likely to find themselves overwhelmed. Even when doing everything right, moments of genuine frustration threaten to halt the fun. </p>
<p>I have nothing but praise for Talion&rsquo;s progression and upgrade mechanics. New powers offer meaningful and game-changing abilities that unlock gradually throughout the campaign. Confront tougher enemies, and you&rsquo;re rewarded with better runes to improve your weapons. Perhaps most importantly, all activities contribute to progression in some way, providing incentive for exploration.</p>
<p>The final hour of Monolith&rsquo;s Middle-earth adventure falls flat, as the story falteringly tries to pull together a number of disparate threads, and the mostly triumphant nemesis system fails to stick the landing. Even with these and other features that rubbed me the wrong way, I can&rsquo;t help but cheer for Monolith&rsquo;s ambition. Shadow of Mordor is an unabashedly challenging and complex experience, sometimes at the expense of accessibility. I&rsquo;m thrilled that we&rsquo;ve got a new franchise in the fertile ground of Tolkien&rsquo;s fiction. Add in a borderline revolutionary approach to mission design, and this is a firm foundation for a stellar new series.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=7000036" width="1" height="1">GIMillerhttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIMiller/default.aspxEverything You Need To Know About Shadow Of Mordor Before Taking On Sauron’s Forces/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/09/25/everything-you-need-to-know-about-shadow-of-mordor-before-taking-on-sauron-s-forces.aspx2014-09-25T09:10:45Z2014-09-25T09:10:45Z<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/shadowofmordor/celebrimbor/mordor0731-610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p>
<p>With only five days before Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor arrives, Warner Bros. and Monolith are making sure players know what to expect from the harsh lands beyond the Black Gate. A new trailer serves a as a primer for the story, Talion and <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/playstation4/archive/2014/07/25/learn-more-about-the-storied-history-of-shadow-of-mordor-s-wraith-celebrimbor.aspx">his wraith companion</a>, rune upgrades, and the Nemesis system.</p>
<p>If you haven&rsquo;t been keeping track of Shadow of Mordor, by far the most valuable information is how the Nemesis system works. On new-gen systems and PC, enemies will remember your encounters. Since Talion can cheat death (thanks to the assistance of Celebrimbor), this might include an Orc or Uruk that has gained power by vanquishing you.</p>
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<p>Each enemy has its own personality, fears, and weaknesses to exploit. Using them to gain a foothold in Sauron&rsquo;s army and create power struggles are a crucial part of the experience.</p>
<p>For more on Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, check out <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/playstation4/archive/2014/08/13/gollum-will-play-a-key-role-in-middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor-new-trailer.aspx">our preview from Gamescom</a> and <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx">our coverage hub</a> from the December 2013 issue. The title arrives on September 30 for Xbox One, Playstation 4, and PC. Xbox 360 and PS3 versions are scheduled for November 18.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx"><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/78554/mesom610banner.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></a></p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6998996" width="1" height="1">GIMikehttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIMike/default.aspxTroy Baker And Nolan North Discuss Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor And Their Imagined Rivalry/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/09/10/troy-baker-and-nolan-north-discuss-middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor-and-their-imagined-rivalry.aspx2014-09-10T08:00:00Z2014-09-10T08:00:00Z<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/sdcc2014/baker/nolanbaker_610.jpg" style="max-width:610px;" border="0" alt="" /></p>
<p>Actors Troy Baker and Nolan North have appeared in significant roles in nearly every video game ever made, but the two rarely work so closely, as the duo discusses in the latest behind the scenes video for Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor.</p>
<p>Baker and North often appear in the same games, but rarely as interacting characters. Baker, for example, played Joel in the Last of Us, while North played David &ndash; two characters that did not interact. In Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Baker plays protagonist Talion while North plays The Black Hand of Sauron. The two characters don&#39;t get along, but they definitely interact.<br /><br /><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/sdcc2014/baker/nolanbaker_610c.gif" style="max-width:610px;" border="0" alt="" /></p>
<p>In the video below, Baker and North talk about their appreciation for Lord of the Rings and for the Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor script, and also talk about how most assume the two have a rivalry since they are both prominent performers in the world of video games.</p>
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<p>For more of Baker&#39;s thoughts on his long time love for Lord of the Rings, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/26/troy-baker-shares-his-lifelong-lord-of-the-rings-fandon-for-middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor.aspx">head here</a>. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor releases on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC on September 30. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/09/09/middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor-last-gen-versions-delayed-until-november.aspx">were recently delayed</a> until November 18.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx"><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/78554/mesom610banner.jpg" style="max-width:610px;" border="0" alt="" /></a></p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6980789" width="1" height="1">GIKylehttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIKyle/default.aspxMeet Ratbag, Talion's Cowardly Orc Companion/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/08/29/meet-ratbag-shadow-of-mordor.aspx2014-08-29T15:49:00Z2014-08-29T15:49:00Z<p><img style="max-width:610px;" border="0" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/shadowofmordor/ratbag/ratbag610.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Shadow of Mordor is a dark tale that has the former ranger Talion seeking revenge...but that doesn&#39;t mean every second of the story needs to have brooding. It looks like the team at Monolith is lightening the mood a bit with the introduction of Ratbag, a sniveling orc who wants to be warchief. </p>
<p>In the video below, we get a taste for how Talion and Ratbag interact. The orc seems to put his own best interests first, so it will be interesting to see how long Talion (and players) are willing to put up with him. &nbsp;</p>
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<p>For more Shadow of Mordor info, check out the <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/playstation4/archive/2014/08/16/here-are-middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor-39-s-achievements-and-trophies.aspx">achievements and trophies</a> you&#39;ll be earning when it releases on September 30.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6963141" width="1" height="1">GIJoehttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIJoe/default.aspxHere Are Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor's Achievements And Trophies/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/08/16/here-are-middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor-39-s-achievements-and-trophies.aspx2014-08-16T11:24:41Z2014-08-16T11:24:41Z<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warnerbros/monolith/shadowofmordor/achievements/lordofringsachtroph_610.jpg" style="max-width:610px;" border="0" alt="" /></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/playstation4/archive/2014/08/13/gollum-will-play-a-key-role-in-middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor-new-trailer.aspx">We learned a lot about Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor during Gamescom</a>, and developer Monolith Productions has some more details to offer with the game&#39;s Achievements and Trophies.</p>
<p>You can check out the full list below. You won&#39;t see names of characters or specific story beats in the list, but there&#39;s always the risk of spoilers when looking at a game&#39;s Achievements and Trophies ahead of completion, so tread lightly.</p>
<ul>
<li>A Graug&#39;s Heel (10 GP): Capitalize on a Warchief&#39;s fear</li>
<li>A Mighty Doom (10 GP): Acquire a level 25 rune</li>
<li>A New Master (15 GP): Brand a Captain while in combat</li>
<li>And it Burns, Burns, Burns (15 GP): Use the detonate ability to burn 50 Uruks</li>
<li>Bearer of the Shining Lamp (20 GP): Collect 100 percent of the Ithildin</li>
<li>Black Celebration (15 GP): Poison a captain at his own feast</li>
<li>Burning Vengeance (15 GP): Perform an execution on a flaming berserker</li>
<li>Crowned with Living Light (10 GP): Collect 50 percent of the Ithildin</li>
<li>Divide and Conquer (15 GP): Eliminate the bodyguards of two Warchiefs, then draw them out and kill them</li>
<li>Fire of Justice (30 GP): Complete all Urfael Legend Missions</li>
<li>Fly you fools! (10 GP): Make 20 Uruks flee by dropping Morgai Fly nests</li>
<li>Height of Despair (10 GP): Use Strike From Above while at least 60 feet above the target</li>
<li>Iron of Death (10 GP): Issue a Death Threat, and then successfully kill the target</li>
<li>Jaws of Death (10 GP): Attract caragors with bait five times.</li>
<li>Legend of Shadow (10 GP): Complete a Dagger Mission and begin growing the legend of Acharn</li>
<li>Legend of Vengeance (15 GP): Complete a Sword Mission and begin growing the legend of Urfael</li>
<li>Legend of the Maker (10 GP): Complete a Bow Mission and begin growing the legend of Azk&acirc;r</li>
<li>Liberator (30 GP): Complete all Outcast Rescue Missions</li>
<li>Lord and Master (10 GP): Brand all five Warchiefs</li>
<li>Master of the Wilds (20 GP): Complete all Hunting Challenges</li>
<li>Memories of Eregion (20 GP): Activate all Forge Towers</li>
<li>No Power in Numbers (10 GP): Help a Captain survive a Recruitment Power Struggle, and then kill him and all his new recruits</li>
<li>Paid in Blood (20 GP): Unlock four Dagger Rune slots</li>
<li>Paths of the Dead (20 GP): Collect 25 percent of the Artifacts</li>
<li>Power Vacuum (10 GP): Kill all five Warchiefs before any Uruk takes their place</li>
<li>Ranger of Ithilien (20 GP): Complete all Survivalist Challenges</li>
<li>Repaid in Blood (10 GP): Complete a Vendetta Mission</li>
<li>Rise and Fall (20 GP): After an Uruk kills Talion to become a Captain, help him become a Warchief, then kill him</li>
<li>Scout of the Morannon (20 GP): Successfully complete a Survivalist Challenge</li>
<li>Shadows of the Ancient Past (30 GP): Collect 100 percent of the Artifacts and listen to their memories</li>
<li>Stinking Rebels (20 GP): Brand five Bodyguards of a Warchief, turning them against him in combat</li>
<li>Strike True (20 GP): Unlock two Bow Rune slots</li>
<li>The Cold Light (20 GP): Unlock three Sword Rune slots</li>
<li>The Free Folk (15 GP): Complete an Outcast Rescue Mission</li>
<li>The Last Shadow (30 GP): Complete all Acharn Legend Missions</li>
<li>The Maker&#39;s Bow (30 GP): Complete all Azk&acirc;r Legend Missions</li>
<li>The Spirit of Mordor (20 GP): Start a Riot by commanding a Warchief to attack another Warchief</li>
<li>The White Rider (15 GP): Liberate 30 slaves in 180 seconds while riding a caragor</li>
<li>Thrill of the Hunt (20 GP): Successfully complete four Hunting Challenges</li>
<li>Unleashed (10 GP): Free five caragors from cages</li>
<li>You Will Obey (20 GP): Make an Uruk yours</li>
</ul>
<p><b>PlayStation Exclusive:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Master of Mordor: Platinum trophy for unlocking all achievements</li>
</ul>
<p>For more on the game and the inclusion of Gollum, which releases for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 September 30 and PC on October 2, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/playstation4/archive/2014/08/13/gollum-will-play-a-key-role-in-middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor-new-trailer.aspx">head here</a>.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6949090" width="1" height="1">GIKylehttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIKyle/default.aspxGamescom Trailer Shows Off Talion's Ruthless, Powerful Foes/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/08/12/gamescom-trailer-shows-off-middle-earth-shadow-of-mordors-ruthless-powerful-foes.aspx2014-08-12T14:10:00Z2014-08-12T14:10:00Z<p><img style="max-width:610px;" border="0" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/shadowofmordor/shadow%20gamescom%20610.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>In Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor coverage up to this point, we&rsquo;ve learned a lot about protagonist Talion and his wraith companion Celebrimbor, but this Gamescom 2014 trailer sheds some light on the powerful enemies the ranger faces off against. In the trailer below, we see visions of Sauron&rsquo;s sons, and the Black Hand, and a powerful orc demands the head of the gravewalker. &nbsp;</p>
<p>In addition to getting a glimpse of the dark powers, which are used against the player (it looks like Talion won&rsquo;t be the only one to employ dark powers in his quest), we briefly see a flashback to the resurrected ranger&rsquo;s past, and watch his wife and daughter die as the foe responsible mocks him. The trailer culminates with some gameplay footage of brutal looking boss fights, and a brief appearance of the Dark Lord himself.</p>
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<p>Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is releasing for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on October 3. For a lot more info on Monolith Productions&rsquo; upcoming action game, check out our <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx">Shadow of Mordor December issue hub</a>.&nbsp;</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6941798" width="1" height="1">GIBertzhttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIBertz/default.aspxTroy Baker And Alastair Duncan Discuss Voicing Shadow Of Mordor’s Lead Roles/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/08/08/troy-baker-and-alastair-duncan-discuss-voicing-shadow-of-mordor-s-lead-roles.aspx2014-08-08T09:10:00Z2014-08-08T09:10:00Z<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/shadowofmordor/BtS/SoMBtSTroyAlastair-610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p>
<p>Now that we know who (and what) Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor&rsquo;s wraith is, it&rsquo;s become clear that the game has not one, but two protagonists. Talion and Celebrimbor are bound by purpose and revenge throughout the title, which means voice actors Troy Baker and Alastair Duncan interact quite a bit during the story.</p>
<p>A new video gives us a look behind the scenes of Shadow of Mordor&rsquo;s motion capture, as Baker and Duncan discuss how they&rsquo;ve approach their roles. You can see <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/07/25/learn-more-about-the-storied-history-of-shadow-of-mordor-s-wraith-celebrimbor.aspx">more on Celebrimbor</a> and <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/xboxone/archive/2014/07/31/new-gameplay-video-shows-what-celebrimbor-brings-into-battle.aspx">how the two interact</a> in previous coverage.</p>
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<p>Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor will be out on September 30 for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PC. You can read up on the game in <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx">our coverage hub</a> from the December 2013 issue.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx"><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/78554/mesom610banner.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></a></p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6936096" width="1" height="1">GIMikehttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIMike/default.aspxNew Gameplay Video Shows What Celebrimbor Brings Into Battle/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/07/31/new-gameplay-video-shows-what-celebrimbor-brings-into-battle.aspx2014-07-31T10:14:00Z2014-07-31T10:14:00Z<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/shadowofmordor/celebrimbor/mordor0731-610b.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p>
<p>Last week, we learned that the wraith who accompanies Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor&#39;s hero is none other than <a title="Celebrimbor" href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/07/25/learn-more-about-the-storied-history-of-shadow-of-mordor-s-wraith-celebrimbor.aspx">Celebrimbor</a>. The elf helped forge the rings of power for Sauron, before being betrayed and tortured. There&#39;s clearly no love lost between the two, which is why Celebrimbor is accompanying the ranger Talion on his own quest for revenge. A new gameplay video shows that the wraith isn&#39;t just along for the ride.</p>
<p>The wraith (and players) can dive into the minds of his foes, learning their strengths, weaknesses, and other key information. For example, a fearsome-looking opponent may harbor a deep fear of bees, and dropping a hive on him could cause him to flee in terror. Celebrimbor can also possess enemies, forcing them to fight one another on your behalf.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>For more information on the game, which is coming September 30, visit our hub.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx"><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/78554/mesom610banner.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6922270" width="1" height="1">GIJeffhttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIJeff/default.aspxLearn More About The Storied History Of Celebrimbor/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/07/25/learn-more-about-the-storied-history-of-shadow-of-mordor-s-wraith-celebrimbor.aspx2014-07-25T15:30:00Z2014-07-25T15:30:00Z<p><img style="max-width:610px;" border="0" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/shadowofmordor/celebrimbor/Celebrimbor-610.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Since <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx">the reveal of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor</a>, we&rsquo;ve learned about Talion and his quest for revenge against the dark lord, Sauron. We&rsquo;ve also known that somehow, he became bonded to a wraith that gives the ranger inhuman powers.</p>
<p>Today, we finally learn who that spectral being is and why he is helping Talion. Celebrimbor was one of the elven lords that fashioned the rings of power (as Sauron made the One Ring in secret).&nbsp;</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p>
<p>The evil lord turned on Celebrimbor, torturing him and murdering his family (explaining his reasoning for choosing Talion as an ally). Because elves are immortal, Celebrimbor chose to remain in Middle-earth rather than return to the Undying Lands.</p>
<p>The two will work together to work their way into Mordor and take the fight to Sauron. Revenge and the excellent Nemesis system will be yours a week earlier than expected (as we <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/07/25/middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor-coming-one-week-earlier.aspx?utm_content=bufferb35b1&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_campaign=buffer">reported this morning</a>). Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor will be out on September 30 for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PC. For more, check out <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/xbox360/archive/2014/06/10/getting-personal-with-middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor.aspx">our E3 preview</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx"><img style="max-width:610px;" border="0" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/78554/mesom610banner.jpg" alt="" /></a></p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6915323" width="1" height="1">GIMikehttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIMike/default.aspxNew Video Digs Into Voice Acting, Cinematics/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/07/11/new-shadow-of-mordor-video-digs-into-voice-acting-cinematics.aspx2014-07-11T09:52:00Z2014-07-11T09:52:00Z<p><img style="max-width:610px;" src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/shadowofmordor/devdiaries/mordor0711-610.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p>
<p>According to voice actor Troy Baker, he and cinematic director Christian Cantamessa felt an instant connection in their collaboration over the new game Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. A new developer diary shows some of what they bonded over, including footage of their motion-capture sessions and the game itself.</p>
<p>The pair say everything in the game was included to drive the story forward. &quot;There&#39;s not one scene in this game that is superfluous,&quot; Baker says. &quot;Everything is incredibly purposeful, and if it wasn&#39;t, it got cut.&quot;</p>
<p>Cantamessa says his role on set was to work with Baker and the other actors to make sure that they were in an environment where they felt supported and were allowed to be creative. The video is a little touchy-feely, but there&#39;s enough gameplay footage in there to remain interesting for people who don&#39;t necessarily care that much about behind-the-scenes action.</p>
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<p>With Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Monolith and Warner Bros. face the challenge of creating a game that bridges the storylines between The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, honoring both fans and scholars. We got to play it at E3, and we were able to spend a considerable amount of time doing some <a title="pretty awesome things" href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/playstation4/archive/2014/06/13/the-many-awesome-things-we-did-in-shadow-of-mordor.aspx">pretty awesome things</a> in Middle-earth. To learn more about the game overall, visit our hub page by clicking on the banner below. It&#39;s filled with exclusive video features, interviews, and more.</p>
<p>Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is set for an Oct. 7 release on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx"><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/78554/mesom610banner.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></p>
<div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6893621" width="1" height="1">GIJeffhttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIJeff/default.aspxThe Many Awesome Things We Did In Shadow Of Mordor/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/06/13/the-many-awesome-things-we-did-in-shadow-of-mordor.aspx2014-06-13T01:33:00Z2014-06-13T01:33:00Z<div class="paginated-post" rel="3"><div class="paginated-post-page" rel="1"><p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warnerbros/monolith/shadowofmordor/drain610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p>
<p>Warner Bros. has a stellar line-up of games at this year&rsquo;s big show, and one of the most impressive in the bunch is its new chapter in the saga of Middle-earth. Shadow of Mordor has seemed an interesting project since we first revealed the game on our cover several months ago, but this E3 was the first time I&#39;ve had the opportunity to sit down and play an extended section of the game. An <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/xboxone/archive/2014/05/22/opening-up-mordor.aspx">earlier preview</a> offers an extensive look at the content of that hands-on session, so today we&rsquo;re taking a different tack &ndash; stacking up a wealth of individual moments I encountered during my lengthy play session to see how they add up to a great time. Much of Shadow of Mordor&rsquo;s appeal comes from its emergent approach to mission design, combat, and exploration, and the following help illustrate how many small situations and features come together to make an impressive gameplay experience.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Galloped on a Carragor:</strong> Mordor&rsquo;s answer to mounts is the lion-like carragor &ndash; a massive cat beast that can be ridden across the countryside and into battle. While I charged headlong into a surprised group of orcs, the carragor slashed and bit at foes while I hacked away any enemies that got too close using Talion&rsquo;s sword.</p>
<p><strong>Ran Across Mordor:</strong> In between major encounters, I was happy to get to trek across the countryside of Nurnen, the newest announced &nbsp;area of Mordor. Monolith has gone to great pains to craft an interesting environment to run through, with lots of slopes, cliffs, and hiding places. It&rsquo;s also exciting to get to visit this most sinister of Tolkien locales.</p>
<p><strong>Met Dozens Of Named Foes: </strong>Sauron&rsquo;s army is made up of individuals, and I saw how distinct the Uruks can be as I confronted one after the next. Their names often offer hints about their nature, and I appreciate how well the game reflects personalities in the look of an individual, or the things they say. Killing a named enemy feels like more of a triumph than if they were anonymous soldiers.</p>
<p><strong>Aided In a Beast Hunt: </strong>One of the Uruks I dominated needed to prove himself in order to advance through the ranks, and it went on a beast hunt to show its skill. I stood on a nearby cliifside and sniped at the pack of carragors my ally was hunting, assuring he survived to move up in the hierarchy.</p>
<p><strong>Transformed Into A Wraith: </strong>Talion&rsquo;s dual nature has been a big part of his appeal is since the game was announced. &nbsp;So it was satisfying to finally get to see the transformative qualities of the character. At numerous points throughout my demo, I saw Talion&rsquo;s face and body shift into a ghostlike form. The wraith looks very elflike, leading to some interesting assumptions about who or what the wraith is within Middle-earth lore.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><strong>Shadow Strikes:&nbsp;</strong></strong>One of the coolest moves in the game is the shadow strike, which allows Talion to teleport to a high or distant location for an instant attack, which often instantly kills the target. An upgraded form of the attack allowed me to chain these shadow strikes together to kill two or three targets in one flurry of motion.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><b>Slow Motion Archery:&nbsp;</b></strong>Draw back your bow, and the wraith&rsquo;s influence makes time slow around you. This means Talion can pull off some impressive ranged attacks even while in the midst of a furious melee.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><b>Drained Enemy Souls:&nbsp;</b></strong>Talion&rsquo;s arrows, called elf shot, are not normal physical shafts. Instead, to gain new ammo, I approach a foe and drain out his essence. The process usually kills the wriggling creature, but provides additional ammo for Talion&rsquo;s ranged assault.</p>
<p><i><strong>[Next page: Troll riding!]</strong></i></p>
<p></p></div></div><script type="text/javascript">PaginateGrid();</script><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6854428" width="1" height="1">GIMillerhttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIMiller/default.aspxGetting Personal With Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/06/10/getting-personal-with-middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor.aspx2014-06-10T15:22:00Z2014-06-10T15:22:00Z<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/shadowofmordor/e3/mordor6.11610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p>
<p>The game&#39;s Nemesis system is vital to disrupting the orc forces, and it also provides a personal record of your triumphs and failures.</p>
<p>The trailer below not only shows the Nemesis system&#39;s menu screen, but also how your actions affect it and the world.</p>
<p>For my <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/xboxone/archive/2014/05/22/opening-up-mordor.aspx">hands-on impressions</a> of the title, take a look at this previous preview.</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p>
<p>Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor comes out for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PC on October 7.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6845474" width="1" height="1">GIKatohttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIKato/default.aspxTalion Stalks A Villain In E3 Trailer/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/06/05/middle_2D00_earth-shadow-of-mordor-stalks-a-villain-in-e3-trailer.aspx2014-06-05T08:00:00Z2014-06-05T08:00:00Z<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/shadowofmordor/e3/MordorE3-610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p>
<p>Monolith and Warner Bros. have opted for a flashy, cinematic trailer to commemorate Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor&rsquo;s E3 showing. In the new video, we get a narrative look at what happens when Talion dominates an underling to intimidate his evil superior.</p>
<p>This trailer nicely compliments the one we shared in May, featuring a heavy amount of gameplay. Whereas that trailer set Talion on his quest (and was accompanied by an <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/xboxone/archive/2014/05/22/opening-up-mordor.aspx">in-depth, hands-on preview</a>), this one shows him executing his mission.</p>
<p>(Please visit the site to view this media)</p>
<p>Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor will be out on October 7 for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PC. For more, check out a rundown of the <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/xboxone/archive/2014/05/22/troy-baker-and-nolan-north-lead-shadow-of-mordor-cast.aspx">impressive cast</a> and our <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx">coverage hub</a> from the December 2013 issue.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx"><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/78554/mesom610banner.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></a></p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6833070" width="1" height="1">GIMikehttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIMike/default.aspxTroy Baker And Nolan North Lead The Cast/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/05/22/troy-baker-and-nolan-north-lead-shadow-of-mordor-cast.aspx2014-05-22T08:01:00Z2014-05-22T08:01:00Z<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/shadowofmordor/cast/TalionSoMCast-610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p>
<p>This morning, we shared with you <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/xboxone/archive/2014/05/22/opening-up-mordor.aspx">new hands-on impressions</a> of <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/05/19/shadow-of-mordor-trailer-shows-that-runes-make-the-man.aspx">Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor</a>. WB has also delivered some information about the voice cast, scribe, and composer that will be bringing the project to life. </p>
<p>Troy Baker (The Last of Us, BioShock Infinite) will step into the protagonist&rsquo;s role once again as Talion. He&rsquo;s joined by Nolan North (Uncharted, Deadpool), Alastair Duncan (Uncharted 3: Drake&rsquo;s Deception, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance), Laura Bailey (Mass Effect 3, Halo 4), and Liam O&rsquo;Brien (Final Fantasy XIII-2, Titanfall).</p>
<p>The soundtrack is being composed by Gary Schyman, who scored all three BioShock titles, the Destroy all Humans games, and more. The original story, which takes place between <i>The Hobbit</i> and <i>The Lord of the Rings</i>, is being written by Red Dead Redemption scribe Christian Cantamessa.</p>
<p>For more on Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, including a new trailer, check out <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/xboxone/archive/2014/05/22/opening-up-mordor.aspx">our hands on coverage</a>. You can also visit <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx">our hub</a> from the December 2013 issue for an in-depth look at the title.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx"><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/78554/mesom610banner.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></a></p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6808572" width="1" height="1">GIMikehttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIMike/default.aspxRunes Make The Man/games/middle-earth_shadow_of_mordor/b/pc/archive/2014/05/19/shadow-of-mordor-trailer-shows-that-runes-make-the-man.aspx2014-05-19T09:13:24Z2014-05-19T09:13:24Z<p><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/shadowofmordor/runes/SoMRunes-610.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></p>
<p>A new Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor trailer gives us a new look at some customization options for Talion. As players progress through the ranks, dominating peons and slaughtering warchiefs, Talion will unlock powerful runes for his weapons.</p>
<p>Runes will add effects like fire to arrows or add significant boosts to sword, dagger, or bow damage. You&rsquo;ll also be able to loot epic runes by accomplishing specific tasks, like dominating an underling to issue a death threat against his warchief before killing the boss.</p>
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<p>Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor will be out on October 7 for Xbox one, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PC. For more, you can check out our <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx">complete coverage hub</a> from the December 2013 issue.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/p/mordor.aspx"><img src="http://media1.gameinformer.com/filestorage/CommunityServer.Components.SiteFiles/imagefeed/featured/warner-bros/lord-of-the-rings/78554/mesom610banner.jpg" border="0" style="max-width:610px;" alt="" /></a></p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.gameinformer.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6801004" width="1" height="1">GIMikehttp://www.gameinformer.com/members/GIMike/default.aspx